Worcester's downtown landscape to change with opening of Front Street

WORCESTER 
The newly extended Front Street will officially open Monday, and for the first time in more than 40 years pedestrians will be able to stroll from Worcester City Hall, down Front Street, and directly to Union Station, Washington Square and Shrewsbury Street.

Standing in the way since 1971 had been the Worcester Center Galleria. The mall structure has been replaced with a new street network as part of the CitySquare development project.

The opening of the extended (or re-extended) Front Street will be celebrated with a ceremony at noon Monday at the corner of Front Street and the newly created Mercantile Street by Foster Street and Major Taylor Boulevard. Several vintage vehicles carrying local veterans of World War II and the Korean War will take part in a ceremonial drive on the new road. At least six former Worcester mayors dating to the 1960s are expected to be in attendance, including Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray. Other guests/speakers will include U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern.

“The reopening of Front Street is a major milestone as we work to drive new economic growth into our downtown,” Worcester City Manager Michael V. O’Brien said in a statement. “This connection will fuel vitality and create an important link to our neighborhood, businesses and colleges. Today has been a long time coming, and I am very grateful to all those that shared the vision, the hard work and the commitment to progress that made it happen.”

While the Worcester Center Galleria (later called the Worcester Common Fashion Outlet Mall) was initially successful commercially, many people for years lamented that Front Street had been cut off from nearby neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the fortunes of the mall began to wane. Mr. Murray said, “By opening Front Street, the city will be reconnected, and with the revitalized downtown the entire region will continue to grow.”

Front Street will see more activity as Monday — and New Year’s Eve — progresses.

According to First Night Worcester executive director Howard McGinn, First Night revelers will gather at City Hall Plaza around 7 p.m. for a short speaking program, and a procession to the new extension of Front Street. From there people will watch the first fireworks display of the night set off from Bell Hill at about 7:45 p.m. As 2013 approaches, at 11:45 p.m. there will be another gathering at City Hall Plaza, a laser show, another procession to Front Street, a countdown and midnight fireworks.